These images provided by Nintendo shows four screenshots of the video game, "The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds," from Nintendo. / AP Photo/Nintendo

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'ZELDA: LINK BETWEEN WORLDS' IS TIMELESS CLASSIC

The beginning of a new year is always a good time to look back and take stock of what happened in the past. This makes it the perfect occasion to look at some games that pay homage to the days of yore while adding something new to the mix. Kicking things off is a title that exemplifies this approach in the best way possible, “The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” for the Nintendo 3DS.

At first glance, the game looks like a souped-up remake of “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past” for the Super NES. In fact, it even shares the same overworld map as the beloved classic. Closer inspection, however, reveals that this game is an entirely new beast. Set long after its 16-bit predecessor, “A Link Between Worlds” features new incarnations of Link and Zelda, as well as a new story and dungeons. It also features a new ability for Link to turn into a painting to access various areas, as well as a different dimension. Other additions include a rental system for key items, animation at a smooth 60 frames per second and a fully 3-D presentation.

For all its new features, however, the game retains the same classic top-down gameplay that old-school Zelda fans know and love. Add an interesting story about parallel worlds, and you have another excellent addition to the Zelda series. Not only is it one of the best games in the last year, it’s easily one of the best games ever made.

'ZELDA: WIND WAKER HD' SETS BAR FOR REMAKES

History is rife with disastrous remakes. From Russell Brand’s turn as Arthur to Ted Turner’s colorful take on black-and-white classics, playing on people’s nostalgia can be a one-way ticket to fan angst. Once in a while, though, someone gets a remake right. One of the latest examples is “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD” for the Wii U.

Don’t let the “HD” moniker on the title fool you. Although many game developers are satisfied with simply upscaling their classic games and slapping an “HD” on the title, Nintendo went above and beyond the call of duty (no, not that “Call of Duty”). This includes greatly improved textures, more vibrant colors, bloom lighting and redrawn assets that make the bump to the higher 1080p resolution look natural instead of forced. “Wind Waker HD” also adds some welcome gameplay changes. At the top of the list is the “Fast Sail” that you can get via auction, making once tedious journeys across the seas more akin to smooth sailing — pun so totally intended. Then there’s my niece’s favorite addition, the improved Picto Box. This little paparazzi tool can now take more photos including wacky self-portraits that you can send to other players via a Tingle Bottle. Yes, there’s an item called a Tingle Bottle.

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The good news is that the gameplay itself aged quite well though still feels a tad easy for a Zelda game. Overall, though, solid exploration and story make “Wind Waker HD” a great game for Zelda vets and newcomers alike.

'DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION; DIRECTOR'S CUT

Back in 2011, I named adventure shooter “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” one of my top five games of the year. Chalk it up to diverse gameplay that allowed you to attack situations with guns a-blazing like a cyborg Rambo or be “a-very-very sneaky” like John Turturro in Adam Sandler’s “Mr. Deeds” remake.

As a super-sneaky chap who once rigged the doors of my grandpa’s house with pull-string fireworks and made a hasty tactical retreat when they got triggered by the wrong target (i.e. my grandpa), I opted for no-kill stealth. Unfortunately, investing my game points on stealth abilities put me at a disadvantage against bosses that required more direct confrontation. It was about the only blemish in an otherwise balanced game. “Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut” thankfully rectifies that oversight thanks to new boss fight mechanics that also give you the option to stealth or hack your way to victory without having to empty your clip like a 12-year-old FPS player online. Hooray for choices.

The Wii U version especially is great, thanks to excellent implementation of the Wii U tablet controls. This helps streamline various control functions such as augments, inventory, radar, hacking, map access and other in-game options. The director’s cut also seamlessly integrates “The Missing Link” DLC into the main story, providing about five or so hours of additional gameplay. You even get an informative developer commentary, a making-of video and what Will Ferrell would call a full in-game “strategery” guide. Sadly, it doesn’t have a bunch of dirty dancers.